Seed celling machine



Oct. 21, 1952 R. w. ARENGO-JONES SEED CELLlNG MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1, 1945 F'IE l Oct. 21, 1952 R. w. ARENGb-JONES SEED CELLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1945 m: b: m2

RHYs W. Aka/v60 fo-:sl

Oct. 21, 1952 R. w. ARENGO-JONES 2,614,593

SEED CELLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 as 2 TI E El Z9 Z8 7/ 7 luff Q 1 we I 154 Fil't' .07 gggun O 50.

1 l 4 32 l RHYS l/MARN6o-Jo/vs.

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7! 92 W WW Patented Oct.'21, .19152 f SEED CELLING MACHiNE v s, Toronto, Ontario; Can- Rhys W. A'rcngo-Jone ada, assignor to :Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Applicatioiihugust 1', 1945,sris1 Nq. 608,119%

The present invention relates to am'achinefoi halving and seed celling fruit such as'apples and readilvappear from'the following description of for subsequently dividing the *halved and seed" celled fruit into segments p An object of thepr'esent invention is to provideirnproved facilities for removing the seed I cellsof'halved iru'it such as" apple's or'theilike.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved simple and eifticient ma chineior halving andseed cellingiruit such as apples) 1 I V Another object oi the inventionis to'provide an improved machine in which a seed cell cutter is employed and operated intimed relation'with a fruit holder in such a manner that the cutter is moved into seed cell cuttingposition with the fruit supported by the holder when the fruit is moved past the cutter.

Another object of the invention is toprovide an improved machine of the above character in which the movement of the seed cell cutter into A cuttingposition is controlled bvfthe fruit holder during its movement toward the seed cell cutting position.

' Another object of the inventionisto provide an improved seed cell removing'machine provided with a bodily rotating seed cell removing knife normally disposed in an inoperative position and adapted to be moved into operativeposi tion to remove the seed cell from the fruit when a half fruit is'moved past the same. 7 1

Another object of the present inventionis to provide an improved seed celling machine having a constantly rotating turret provided witha plurality of fruit holders by which halves of fruit are positioned with their seed cells exposed to receive a seed cell knife movable into and out of seed cell removing position with respect to the fruit during travel of the holders past the same. .Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved machine by which cored and pared whole apples are halved, have their seed cells removed. I

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved seed ceiling machine having means for gauging the depth of cut of the seed cell removing knife in accordance to the size of the fruit.

" a preferred embodiment,-as illustrated in the accompanying. drawings, in which:

Fig. 1- is a plan-view of a machine constructed according to-the present invention, parts being broken away to show the underlying structure.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1 parts being broken away, and other parts being in section. 1

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken along line. 3-3ofFig.2. v, V A v Fig. 4 is a verticalsection taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1, parts being shown in side elevation.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along line 5-5 ofFig. 3. j

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken along line 66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '1 is a vertical section taken along line 1-4 ofFigLlfv Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of one of the seed cellin'g mechanisms, showing the same in. position to cut the seed cell from the fruit, parts being shown in section. v

Fig. is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line of 9- -9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged horizontal section taken I along the line Ill-4U of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged section taken along the line H-H of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the segmenting knives and the portion of the machine on which the knife-is mounted.

The machine shown in the present application has been especially. designed to be used with apples that arepeeled and have the core cut out so that there is. a core hole through the axis of each apple. 7 With the machine of the present invention the cored and peeled apples are first halved, the seed cell is then out out of each half, and finally the halves are cut into segments. As will be hereinafter more fully described the machine is constructed so that the seed celling operation is simultaneously performed on each half of an apple by coordinated mechanisms as the halves move through the machine in diverging paths.

Referring: to the drawings and especially to Fig. l theimproved fruit halving and seed celling machine comprises a feed conveyor or turret generally indicated at I6, a halving knife IT, a pair of fruit holding conveyors or turrets generally indicated at l8, l3, respectively, for receiving and holding the halves of fruit during the seed celling operation, a pair of seed celling mechanisms generally indicated at 26, 2| which are operatively associated with the turrets or fruit holding conveyors l8, l9, respectively, and a pair of segment cutters generally indicated at 22, 23. The above elements, together with suitable operating mech anism therefor, are mounted on a supporting structure or frame generally indicated at 25.

The frame 25 of themachine' comprises a top 26, which may be substantiallyrectangular in form, as shown in Fig. 1. Depending from the top 26 and extending around the four sides thereof is a flange or skirt 21. Legs 28 are secured to the skirt 2?, at the four corners of the top 26, by means of bolts 29, or other-suitable securing elements, Fig. l, 2 and 3. The legs 23 supportthe top 26 a suitable distance above the floor,'and

drive, well known in the art. "tates, each pin 5| engages the inner surface 55 46 until only the tip of the rod 49 is exposed, as indicated at 53, Fig. 4, when the pin 5| engages the inner ends of the slots 52.

Since the apple has been previously peeled and has a core opening therein somewhat larger in diameter than the diameter of the rod 49, the apple will fit loosely on the rod and rest against the peripheral surface of the rim 4! of the turret I6, during rotation of the turret in the direction of arrow 54, Figs. 2 and 4.

In the present machine the feed turret I6 is adapted to rotate continuously, however, if desired'th'e same may be rotated intermittentl by appropriate mechanism, for instance by a Geneva As the turret ro- 1 7 of a cam-56 fastened to the upstanding face of a bracket 57 by bolts 58, Fig. 4.. The bracket 57 is bolted to the top 26 of the frame, as indicated at disposed beneath the top in suitable spaced relation thereto and supported from the legs 28, are

angles 36, which are arranged lengthwise of the 1 frame of the machine. Supported by the angles 30 and extending transversely. of theframe are motor supporting angles 3|, Figs. 2 and 3. Also disposed in spaced relation beneath the top 26 and located at suitable distance above the angles 36 and 3 I, is a plate 32. The plate'32 is substantiall rectangular in form, being approxmately one-half the width of the top 26 and approximately the same length as the top, as shown in Fig. 3. The plate 32 supports the operating mechanism of the machine to be hereinafter described. At intervals around three-sides of the skirt 2'1, ears 33 are provided. -The plate 32 is secured to the frame by suitable securing elements 34 carried by the ears 33, Fig.3.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the feed turret I6 is in the form of a wheel having a hub 4| fixed to a shaft 42 rotatably mounted in bearings 43 carried by brackets 44 fixed to theirame. of the machine, as indicated at 45. Radiating fromthe hub 4| are spokes or arms 46, on the extremities of which a circular rim or band 4'! is formed. If desiredthe hub 4|, spokes or arms 46, and the circular rim or band 41 can be made in the form of a one piece casting. r

Each spoke or arm 46 is formed with a bore 48 which extends lengthwise thereof and passes through the rim 41. Slidably mounted within each bore 48 is a rod 49 which projects outwardly a suitable distance beyond the periphery of'the turret to provide a prong for supporting an apple. The inner end of each rod 49 is spaced from the inner end of the bore 48, and mounted in such space is a compression spring 56 which bears at one end against the inner end of the rod 49 and bears at the other end against the inner end of the bore 48 so as to normally maintain the'rod 49 in an extended position with respect to the turret.

Each rod 49 is retained within the bore 48-by a pin 5| which extends diametrically through the rod, the two projecting endsv of said pin being disposed in elongated slots 52 formed in the spoke or arm 46. One end of the pin 5|v extends outwardly beyond the side face of the turret as.

shown in Fig. 1.

The spring 56 normally urges the rod 49 outwardly with respect to the rim or band 47, such outward movement being limited by the pin 5| abutting the outer ends of the slots 52. On the other hand the slots 52 have a length sufficient to permit the rod 49 to move inwardly of the arm 59', Fig. 1. The cam surface 55 is adapted to cause the pin 5 to traverse the slots 52 from the outer ends of said-slots to'the inner ends of said slots,

as indicated at 66, Fig. 4, whereby the rod 49 is gradually moved inwardly of the bore 48 so that the portion of the rod which projects outwardly beyond theperiphery'of the turret and on which the apple is mounted is withdrawn from the core of the apple bythe time the rod 49 attains a substantially horizontal position, Fig. 4. In this way an apple is r leased from the feed turret.

Turret shaft 42-has fixed thereon for rotation therewith a sprocket 65 which is connected by a chain 66-to a sprocket 61 keyed to a shaft 68 journalecl in suitable bearings 69 as shown in Fig. 3. Fixedly secured to theshaft 68 is a worm gear 10 of a speed reducer H (Fig. 5). The worm gear 10 mesheswi-th a worm 12 mounted on a shaft 13 journaled in bearings 74 carried by the housing of the speed reducer H. The speed reducer is provided with a bracket 15 which'is fastened to the frame by bolts 16, Fig. 3. The speed reducer 7| is also fastened'to the plate 32 of the frame, as indicated at Tl, Fig. 2a The housing of the speed reducer 1| is formed of detachable sections, as shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, whereby access may be readily had to the interior of the speed reducer.

Shaft 13 extends outwardly through the wall 18 of the housing of the speed reducer 1|. Secured to the extended portion of the shaft 13 is a pulley 19 having double grooves 86 and 8|! which are .arranged to receive two endless V-belts 8| and 82,,respectively; In lieu of the single double grooved pulley, two pulleys may be employed if desired, each pulley having a groove for receiving a Vbelt or other suitable power transmitting means. In either case the pulley or pulleys are fixedly connected to the shaft 13. Vbelt.8| passes around a pulley 83 on the shaft 84 of an electric motor 85v mounted on the angles 3| of the frame in the manner shown best in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 1, the halving knife 11 has a vertical cutting edge disposed in spaced relation to the side of the frame 25 on which the brackets 44 are mounted, and in order to accommodate the feed turret H5 and provide a clearance space for the rods 49 and the pins 5|, the top 25 of the frameis formed with a cut-out portion 9| (see also Fig. 4). The plate 32 is also provided with a similar cut-out portion 92 which is arranged in vertical alignment with the cut-out portion 9|. The drive chain 66 for the feed turret I6 passes through both cut-out portions 9| 92.

The conveyors or turrets l8, Is for holding the halves of fruit during the seed celling operation a suitable distance. has aroller H6 mountedth'ereon and the'upper are similar in construction and a detail description of one will suffice for both. Each holding turret I8, I9 comprisesan annular disc-like body or member I having a hub IOI bored to receive a vertical shaft. The shaft of turret I8 is indicated at I02, and the shaft of turret I9 is indicated at I03. The shafts are keyed to the hub of each turret respectively, as

1 indicated at I04, Fig. '1. The shaft I02 isrotatably mounted in bearings provided by bosses I and I00 formed on the top 26 of the frame and by boss I01 formed on the housing of the speed reducer 1I, Figs. 2 and 4. The bearing provided by boss I05 constitutes a thrust bearing for supporting the turret.

Formed radially in the member I00 are a plurality of horizontally disposed bores IIO which extend inwardly a suitable distance from the periphery of the member I00. Intersecting each horizontal bor I I0 is an elongated slot I I I. which is formed vertically through the member I00 in the manner shown best in Fig. 7. The slot III has a length somewhat less than the length of the bore IIO.

Slidably mounted in each horizontal bore H0 is a cup supporting red I I2 having a fruit holder cup II3 detachably mounted on its outer end. The inner end of each rod I I2 is spaced from the inner end of the bore H0 and mounted in such space is a compression spring II4 which bears at one end against the inner end of the rod I I2 and bears at the other end against the inner-end of the bore IIO so as to normally urge the rod outwardly with respect to the turret.

Each rod I I2 is retained in position with respect to the member I00 by a pin I I5 which extends diametrically through the rod and is disposed within the upper and lower portions of the slot III. Each end of the pin" I I5 projects beyond the upper and lower surfaces of the member I00 Thelower end of the pin I I5 end of the pin has a roller II1 mounted thereon (Fig. '7). During rotation of theturret the roller H6 is adapted to engage a cam surface II8 of a cam II9 fixed to the top 26 of the frame or the machine and upstanding therefrom, as shown best in Fig. 1. When the roller IIIi isout of engagement with the cam surface H8, the spring 'I Mmaintains the cup I I3 in fully extended position. The contour of the cam surface I I8 is such that when the roller IIB engages the end"'I20 of the cam, Fig. 1, therod H2 and the cup II3 thereon are retracted quickly a predetermined distance thereby compressing: the spring II I. The cup is retained in such retracted position during further rotation of the turret and is then gradually permitted by the cam tomoveoutwardly and at the end I2I of the cam the cup again attains an extended position for a purpose to be hereinafter described. I

' As shown in Fig. 5, shaft I02 of the turret I8 is driven from a Worm I26 on shaft 13 of the speed reducer II which is in meshing relationshipwith a worm gear I21 fixed to the lower end of shaft I02, as shown in Fig. 6. For the purpose of rotat-' ing the turret. I9 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the turret I3is rotated, V-belt 82 connects pulley 19 with a pulley I30 fixedly mounted on a shaft I3I of a speed reducer I32, Fig.3. The speed reducer I32 is similar in construction to the speed reducer H with the exception that thespeed reducer II also includes the shaft 68, worm gear ands-worm 12.3Shaft 'I3I turrets I8, I9 are constantly rotated in opposite directions and at a uniform speed from power supplied by motor 85.

The cups I I3 may be constructed of any suitable material such as metal, plastic composition material, rubber, or the like. Each cup H3 (Fig. 11) has a semi-spherical surface I35 which provides a pocket which conforms approximately to the shape of the half of an apple. The contour of the surface I 36 obviously may not provide a perfect fit for all apples, it being understood that the contour of the surface I36 is such that the cup is adapted to handle apples of various shapes and sizes through a considerable range. Since the apples used for processing do not generally include extremely large apples, in normal operation of the machine one size of cup II 3 can be used. However, when-it is desired to process apples having sizes outside of the range of one set of cups, other sizes of cups may be substituted for the same. Therefore, each cup II3.is provided with a boss having an internally threaded opening I31 (Fig. 7) by which the cup is fixedly mounted on the threaded end I38 of the rod II2, the'cup being retained in adjusted position on said rod by means of a lock nut I39.

The forward wall of each cup II3 may be formed with a forwardly extending channel I00 (Fig. 11) which prevents engagement ofthe cup with an apple as the cup is rotated by the turret into position to receive the apple (Fig. 1). The cups II3 may also be formed with yieldable lip portions to avoid any damaging contact with the fruit during engagement and disengagement of the cups with the fruit. In such case the lips can be made, if desired, of soft rubber. It may also be found desirable to form the'entire body of the cups of some slightly resilient grade of rubber. I

As shown in Fig. 1, the fruit holders or cups 1 I3 are so carried by the turrets I8, I9 that during rotation of the turrets in opposite directions ina horizontal plane, a. pair of opposed cups will contact an apple MI and securely grip the apple when the apple is being released from the prong 49. The two cups then carry the apple forwardly in a direction away from the periphery of the feed turret I6 and press the apple against the cutting edge of the stationary knife I1 so that the knife cuts the apple into halves.

Forming a continuation of'the knife and extending rearwardly from each side of the knife in an are substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of the turret shafts I02 and I03, are guide plates I42 and I43, the'guide plate I02 partly encircling the turret I8 and being arranged in spaced relation to the cups H3 of said turret, and the guide plate I43 being correspondingly disposed with respectto the cups N3 of the turret I0. As the apple'is cut in two eachhalf is pressed with its exposed seed cell side against its respective plate by the spring H4. The plates I42, I43 thus function as means for retaining the halves of an apple in the cups II3 so that the cut surface of each half is disposed in position to have theseed cells removed there from by the seed celling mechanism. Each plate I42, I03 has an elongated opening M4 formed therein for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The seed celling mechanisms 20, 2I are identical in construction and operation, the mechanism 20 being mounted on a shaft I5I for swing ing movement toward and away from the halves of apples carried by the cups II3 of the turret I8, and the mechanism 2I being mounted on a shaft I 52 for swinging movement toward and away from the halves .of apples carried by the cups of the turret I9.

As shown in Fig. 9 shaft II is rotatably supported by a .bearing provided by a boss I53 car- Jried by the top 26 of the frame of the .machine. Shaft I52 is likewise rotatably supported from the top 26. The lower end of shaft 'I5I has a pulley I54 (Fig. 3) fixedly mounted thereon. An endless twisted V-belt I is passed around the pulley I54 and a pulley I55 fixedly mounted on the shaft I 02 so that rotation of the shaft I5I is opposite to the direction of rotation of the shaft I02, as indicatedd by the arrows, Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 3, the lower end of shaft I52 has a pulley I51 fixedly mounted thereon, and an endless twisted V-belt I58 is passed around the pulley I51 and a pulley I59 fixedly mounted on the shaft I03 so that shaft I52 is .rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of shaft I03.

Each seed celling "mechanism comprises "an I elongated U-shaped body I6] having an upper portion I62, a lower portion I53, and an outer end I64 which connects the portion I62, I53. The inner end and sides ,of the body I5I are open (Figs. 9 and 10). The portions I52, I63 are spaced apart a suitable distance from each other, so .as to provide a suitable space therebetween in which the seed celling cutters and associated parts are disposed in the manner to'be hereinafter described. The body I6I of the seed celling mechanism 20 is freely rotatable on shaft I 5I, and said shaft is rotatably mounted in bearings I55, I66 formed in the portions I52, I83 respectively. In a similar manner the seed celling mechanism 2I is freely rotatable on shaft I52 and shaft I52 is rotatably mounted in bearings corresponding to the bearings I65, I66shown in Fig. 9.

Interposed between the portions I62, I63 of the body IBI and fixedly secured to a shaft I1I rotatably mounted in bearings I 12, is an annular disc I14 having an opening I15 formed diametrically therethrough in alignment with an opening I16 formed transversely in the shaft Ill. The disc I14 is fixed to the shaft I1I by means of a set screw or similar securing element I13 (Fig. 10).

The shaft I5I is located adjacent the open end of the body IBI and shaft IN is located intermediate the length of said body. Shaft I5I has fixed thereon for rotation therewith a pulley I11 which is connected by an endless belt I18 to a pulley I19 fixedly secured to shaft "I. The construction is such that rotation of shaft I 5I is transmitted by the belt I18 to shaft "I so that the disc I14 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Fig. 10.

Extending through the aligned openings I15, I16, formed in the disc I14, is an arm or shaft I 8i having a pair of beveled gears I82, I83 fixed to the projecting portions thereof adjacent the peripheral wall of the disc I14. The teeth of the gears I82, I83 are in meshing relationship with a ring gear, 1. e., teeth I84 formed on the upper face of a gear I85 mounted on the shaft HI and rotatable independently of said shaft. The gear I85 is disposed between the disc I14 and the upper face of the lower portion I63 of the body I8I. The upper face ofthe disc I 14 bears against a circular plate I86 fixed to the upper portion 1:52 .of the body I61, said plate I86 functioning as a filler block between the disc I 14 and lower face of the portion 162.

The teeth I81 of the gear I85 are in meshing relationship with the teeth of a gear I88 fixedly mounted on the shaft I.5I, the construction being such that gear I85 is rotated in an opposite direction to the direction of ,rotationof the disc I14, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 10.

Each end of the shaft I8I is slotted lengthwise, as indicated at I90 (Fig. 9), for the reception of a knife or cutter .I9I, said cutter being securedrin position in the shaft I81 by means .of a pin I92, Fig. 10. The cutter .I9I may be in the form of a thin circular disc having its periphery ground to a tapered cutting edge.

During operation of the machine the discs I14 of the seed celling mechanisms 20, 2 I, are rotated in opposite directions, the disc I14 of the .seed celling mechanism 20 being rotated by power supplied from shaft I02 by belt I55, shaft I5], belt I18 and shaft HI, and the disc I14 of theseed celling mechanism '21 being rotated by power supplied from shaft I03 by belt I58, shaft I52, belt I18 and shaft I1I of said seed celling mechanism.

Rotation of the disc I14 imparts a corresponding rotation of the shaft I8] so that first one seed cell cutter I9I' moves in proximity to the opening I44 in the plate I42 and then the other seed cell cutter I9I on the shaft I 8| moves in proximity to the opening I44. At one point in the movement of a cutter I9I past the opening I44 the longitudinal center line of shaft 'I8I aligns with the center of one of the cups II3 on the turret I8 also moving past the opening I44 so that the cutter [III will register substantially with the center of the seed cells of the half fruit carried by said cup.

Due to the fact that the beveled gears I82, I83 are rotating with the disc I 14 about an axis provided by the axis of shaft HI and said gears are in meshing relationship with a ring gear, 1. e., the teeth I84 of the gear I85 which is rotated in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the disc I14 by gear I88, a rapid rotation of shaft I8I and the cutters I9I mounted thereon is effected about the axis of shaft I8I. Thus, during operation of the machine the cutters are bodily rotated about a vertical axis and at the same time said cutters rotate about a horizontal i. e., their own axis.

However, as shown in Fig. the seed celling mechanisms 20, 2| are normally retained by springs I95, in a position in which the cutters I8I are disposed outside of the path of travel of the fruit halves held by the cups II 3. In order to move the cutters I9I toward the path of travel of fruit and into seed coll cutting position in timed relation to the movement of the fruit past the opening I44 and to gauge the depth of cut of the seed cell knives I 9| in accordance with the size of the fruit halves, the outer end of the body I6I is provided with an ear 20I to which is pivotally attached by means of a pin 202, one end of a link 203. The outer end of the link 203 is formed with an elongated slot 204 through which is inserted the upper threaded end 205 of the shaft I02. Threadedly mounted on the end 205 of shaft I02 (Fig. '7) is a nut 206 which bears against the upper end of the hub IOI of the turret body I00. A washer 201 is interposed between the slotted end of the link 203 and the nut 206 so as to provide means by which the link 203 can move freely. A washer 208 is mounted on the threaded end 205' of the shaft above the j aisle S be 210 are mounted on the end 205-of saidshaft so'as to prevent accidental displacement of 'the link therefrom, nut 2H) constituting a nut for locking the parts in adjusted ---pos'iti'on whereby.

theslotted end ofthe link is free tomover-elative to'the shaft I02. I

is a cam 2I3 having a'cam-surface 214- (Fig' 8) adapted to be engaged by roller- I'I'I during eta-1- tion of the fruit carrying turret I 8 toward the s'eed ceiling position. The cam'=-surfa'ce'-2 I4 has a contour by which the link 203 is moved in -the 'direction of the arrow 2I5- (Fig'.-8-) andthereby swings the seed cell cutting mechanism about-the pivot provided by shaft 'I5I towards the turret so that a cutter I9I passes through: the slot I44 in plate I42 and entersthe seed cell of the fruitheld bycup H3. Since the cutter-HI is rotating con tihuously about the axis ofShait'IBI in the man ner hereinbefore described; the cutter will cutout the seed cell from the fruit half during th'eperiod inwhich the seed'celling mechanism is disposed in the seed cell removing position, due to the-enagement-of the roller III with 'cam'surfac'2I 4. When the shaft IBI aligns"substantially with the longitudinal center line of the cup carrying rod II2, said cutter I9! will'be'so disposed in the'half fruit that all of the seed cell'will 'be' completely removed therefrom. Immediately thereaiter as I the turret carries the roller III away from its engagement with the cam surface z I4, spring I 95 returns the seed celling mechanism as ayunit to the position shown in Fig. l, in which" the out ters I9I are out of the path in which the fruit 1 halves are carried by the turret I8. The operation is repeated when the succeeding cup I I3 ad'- vances the next fruit-half past the' other cutter I9 I. In a similar manner the seed celling'm'echanism H of like construction" operates simultane' ously to remove the seed cells from the fruit halves carried-by turret l9.

The segment cutters 22, 23,- each comprise a member 22I which is secured-to the outer'ends of the plates I42, I43, respectively,-as-indicated at 222, Figs. 1 and 12. The members '22land the portions of the platesl42, I43, to which the members are attached are rigidly retained in position on the machine by means of-abracket 223 which is attached to the top 26, as. indicated at-224 (Fig.1).- w

The body member 22I ofeach segment'cutter is of substantially semi-cylindrical form, being wardly towards horizontal-gposition. The rotation 'of the feed 'turret I6 is'so arranged in timed relation; to the rotation'of the "two-fruit holoing turrets I8,- .I9,thatgjas" an apple carried by a prong-'off the feed-turret 1'6 approaches ahorizontal position" a=pair oi cups I I3, one on'- each turret" I8";" I9 respective1y,. are moving intoposi- I tionto'recei've the apple. fAsea'ch apple onthe feed turret I6 travels toward substantially horh zontal position'the pin-Eleni the rod 49 on which the-apple is' mounted; engages thecam surface 55 and-"the pr-orig is withdr'awhfrom-the core. opening of the *applawher'eupontheopposed cups II3, one of each turret I8, I9; e' ngage the apple r in the-manner shown-in Fig'il; f i

=It is to be noted-that the; purpose' ofi the open end I of-each cup: II3= is -to provide aclear or open-channel which .-.will' enable unobstructed movement of the 'cu'ps l 13 111 a horizontal Path past flthe apple on .the teed turret It as the cups move into position to -receive the apple at the point-where the apple istransferred fromthe feed turret I6 to theholders provided by the'opposing' cups I I3; Fig. 1.=- "During the operation of transferringan apple ir'om the feed turret I6 to a pair-of cooperating cups I'I-3, the rollers I I6 will be in engagement with'uthecams I I9 so thatthe cups are retained in's1iitablespaced relation withtrespect to each other: so aslt'o' enable the apple to-enter-the c'avities orpockets of the cupsfreely,wher'eupon the'rollrs lilfiEpass from .the ends of thecams llil and the'springs H4 force the cups II3"outWardly.-so-thatthe' apple is firmly gripped by said cupst The-apple will nowbe nested in the concave.seat-providedby v the spherical surface I36'-of each cup, and i's held by thetwo cups- II'3 in thamanner shown in FigLl. The pressure exertedbyi the opposed pair of cupsagainst the apple is hot great enoughto crush'or' damage theapple flesh;

'It will be noted (Fig. 1 thatthecutting f edge of: the halving knife nis substantially m align preferably constructed of suitable, sheet metal bent to the desired form, and open at both'ends. Radially disposed within the semi-circular member 22I are a plurality of thin. metal blades 226, Fig. 2. ,Each of the blades .has a. portion 221 whichgextends forwardly fromthefront endof the segmentcutter body, as shown in Fig. 12, the outer edge of. the forwardly extending portion 221 of each blade being inclined or being, dis-:-

-posed at an angle'with respect'to: the faceof each plate I42, I43, as shown in'Fig. 1, so that I an entrance point is provided-for the fruit" in advance of the movement of the fruit through the segment cutter body in the-manner"to be hereinafter described." I In operation, the apples are rec'eived from-the trimming table where they have been delivered ment with theaxe'sof the turrets I8, .l9. ;In view I of this arrangement of the parts, the cooperate ing cups of :the'i pair which. receive an applefrom the feed turret lfil preparatory. to introducing the apple to the halving-or splitting knifeaI'I 'areinot diametrically opposite? each other when cutting of *the' apple by the-knife commences.- However; the' ap'ple isifirmlynested in the-, pocket provided'x-by the portions I36 btthe cups'IIS and the rear wall'of each cup functions as means for pushing the appletoward the edge of theknife I'I.'

The apple is 'thus divided, one half traveling through the machine 'snugly pressed byes; cup I I 3 of the turret l8 against the a'rcuate-p late M2; and the" other half traveling :through the machine snugly pressed by a cup H3 of the turret l9 against the arcuate'plate I43. The movement of one-half of-an apple from the halving knife i'I to the segment cutter2'2; corresponds to the movement'of the other halt of'the apple from the plates M2, I Ifi'prespectively. Indoingso each half of fruit moves pastthe openings 'l i o f said plates so'that the seed cell removing operations on eachhalf of the apple are'simultaneously'perfor-med-by th cnttersof the *seed cel-ing ZZICCh-r anisms2J-and:2l',respectively.

:;.After thewhole apple has been; divided into halves by the knife .I'is, jthe'roller. IIE on therod .II2..on which the Scup I I3yihiwhic-h the half of the apple .issupportednioves: out .o; engagement 1-1 i h e cam. surface, I I8. and; co sequen lrth cup I I3 isextended by spring II;4 so that. the cut surface of the. half, of the, apple. is pressed by the cup withthe exposed seed cell side. against the surface of the arcuate plate. I42. inztheman-ner shown in Fig. 1. In such positionthe seed .cell of the ap le will beexposed through opening I44. in the plate I42,when the, ;turret l8 carries the cup II3 past said opening. g V

Immediately prior to. the registration Qf. the half of apple carriedv by cup H3. with. he. ope n I44, in the arcuate plate 142, the roller It] moves i n a m t with the surface 2 I4 of; cam :13

and rides along the same with thelresult that the seed celling mechanism 2Q as. a unitis swung in?- Wardly toward the plate I41 i vthe. manner heretofore described so that one ;of the cutters ISI- traveling past the openin 1.4.4.1 1 timed. relation with the fruit half is introduced throu the opening I44 into cutting en agement with. the exposed seed cell of the half of fruit.

The timing of themovement of the cutter I9I, into seed cell cutting position with the fruit held by a cup I I3 of the rotating turret. I8 is such, that the bodily revolving cutter moves into and out of seed cell cutting position in timed relation, to the movement. of the fruit past the. seed cell cutting position defined. by theposition of the opening I44 in the plate M2. in this way the operation of removing the. seed cell, .of the apple. occurs quicklywithout the-necessity of, halting or arresting the rotation of the turret. Consequently the resultant. cut-out: cavity in, the apple is not. appreciably elongated.

Due to the rapid mannerin which each cutter ISI is rotated about its own axis the seed cell material is removed from the cavity in the. apple and drops down the outer surface of the. arcuate plate I42. The concave. surface of the cavity formed in the fruitby the cutter I9I. assists. in such action since there are not any surfaces against; which the material can. lodge.v Thus the apple is cleaned of all loose. material. as. it passes. from the seed cell removing mechanism.

The contour of cam surface 2 I4; issuch that the. seed celling mechanism. is. quickly swung into the seed celling position when a roller tII: engages said cam surface. 2 I4 while the. cutter I9 I performs the necessary cutting action as it travels into. and out of cutting engagement with the fruit half to remove the seed cell therefrom,.- Thereupon as soon as the cutter ISI has moved out of cutting engagement with the. fruithalf the roller I. I! runs offthe cam surface 2 I4 and the spring I 95. returns the seed celling mechanism, to its normal inoperative osition. It is to be. understood that during the operation of the parts associated with turret I8 to remove. the. seed cells from the halves of apples carried by the cupsv II3 of said turret, a simultaneous operation is being, performed. on the halves of apples carried by the. cups I I3 of the turret [9.

The size of the. fruit. handled bythe machine may vary so that halves of fruit of diiferent thickness may be presented to the seed cel-ling mach-.-

, anism. Likewise the shape of the fruit may vary so that the fruit presented by cooperating fruit aaiaw half of anapplesaid cup, will be disposedicl'oser to the inner surface. of. the. plate, adjacent thereoi than when a, relatively large half of'fruit, is. car,. ried thereby, Consequently, the roller I I! on sup-' porting rod, IIZ' of said cup will be disposed in difierent. radial positions relative to its turret and will therefore engage the cam surface 2I4 of the cam 213 at dilferent points depending upon the thickness of the half of fruit.

In view of this. the cam 2I3 and arm 203 will be shifted. by the roller II! in the direction of arrow M to, a greater or lesser extent and the seed celling mechanism, will be swung inwardly toward the. fruitholding turret. more or less depending upon the thickness ofv the fruit halves whereby the depth of cut. of the seed cell knife is automatically gauged in. accordance with the thickness of the fruit. Since the size. of the. seed cell varies in proportion to the size of, the fruit the seedcell of each half of fruit. is proportionate to the thickness of each half of fruit. It is there fore. apparent that by gauging the depth of cut of the seed celling' knife according to the thickness of each fruit half handled by the. machine a, perfect seed celling of each fruit half is obtained and insuflicient or excessive depth of cut of the. seed celling knives is prevented.

The segmenting operation. is a. matter of forcing thev cored apple through the. dividing sections provided by the series of. radially disposed blades 22.6. The. 'cup II3 carries each cored piece of apple. toward the projecting tapered portions 221 of the blades and forces the apple into the. blades holders II3 to thev halving knife I! may be unevenly halved by said knife whereby halves of different thickness are obtained. Therefore, since the cups I I3 are resiliently mounted their proximity relative to the plates I42 and I43 during movement therealong is determined by the thick ness of the half of the apple held therein. It is therefore apparent that when a cup holds a. small a sufiicient distance so that the apple will be supported by the blades and will be. retained thereon as the cup I 13 moves away from the apple. The succeeding applev forces the foremost apple still farther through the segment cutter and in this manner the apples are divided into separate segments as they emerge from the dis charge end of the segment cutter,. the member 22I providing a shroud for holding the segments in position. From the segment cutter 22,1 23 the pieces of. apples can be, conveyed by suitable means (not shown). to other apparatus for further processing.

.While I. have described a particular embodiment; of the present invention, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications. may be made in. the details thereof without departing from the spirit of the present invention and the scope. of the appended claim.

. Hav ng thus. described my invention, what I claim. and desire. to. protect by Letters Patent is:

.Aseed ceiling machine for fruit. such as apples comprising. an arcuate apertured plate, a turret provided with fruit holders for receiving halves of fruit and for advancing themalong said plate, means. for yieidingly- :urging said holders toward said plate to hold the halves of fruit with the exposed seed cell side thereof against said plate, the. yielding; of the holders bei g controlled by the. size of. fruit 'lmlf held therein, a rotatable seed cell. knife. with a blade edge disposed radially of its axis of rotation, means for simultaneously rotating and moving saidseed cell knife through the aperture of said. plate into cutting engagement with the seed cells of fruit. halves. during their advancement; along said plate, means for rotating'the. seed. cell knife. about. its own axis during its movement into engagement with the halves of fruit .tocut up the seed cells. thereof and to. sweep out the seed cell material, and gauging: means: operatively interconnecting the fmit. holders and the seed cell. knifeqandre- 13 sponsive to the yielding position of the fruit holders relative to said plate for gauging the depth of cut of the seed cell knife in accordance with the size of the halves of fruit held thereby.

R. IV. ARENGO-J ONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 445,753 Ish Feb; 3, 1891 1,034,037 Smith July 30, 1912 1,386,552 Carney Aug. 2, 1921 1,484,446 Felizianetti Feb. 19, 1924 1,506,679 Smith Aug. 26, 1924 1,512,410 Eldridge Oct. 21, 1924 Nmnber Number Name Date Norgaard Dec. 16, 1930 Musselman Sept. 29, 1931 Goranson et al. May 31, 1932 Robbins Mar. 14, 1933 Ayars Dec. 4, 1934 Jones Mar. 19, 1935 Jepson Dec. 31, 1940 Ewald Feb. 11, 1941 Ewald May 20, 1941 Ewald May 12, 1942 Smith Oct. 19, 1943 McKinnis July 18, 1944 Jepson July 31, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Nov. 26, 1925 

